It is a well-known fact that parents today are more involved in children’s future than in the past. Some factors have driven this trend, which is not without problems.
On the one hand, there are two primary reasons why parents pressure children. Firstly, parents nowadays have more financial resources and access to educational opportunities. As a result, children are sent to examination schools, art classes, or soft-skill training centres from an early age. Parents believe that these extra activities will give children a better chance to succeed later in life. Secondly, modern society is extremely competitive. Parents often tend to compare children with others, especially during family gatherings where achievements are discussed. Because of this social pressure, parents feel that children must be well-prepared to compete with peers academically and professionally. In addition, many parents see education as a long-term investment and feel responsible for maximising every opportunity available to children.
On the other hand, the negatives of this tendency far outweigh these advantages, making it a negative development. The first problem is that constant pressure to succeed can be mentally exhausting for both parents and children. Children may always worry about improving personal performance and comparing results with others, which can lead to stress, anxiety, or even depression. As a second drawback, this pressure may result in suicidal thoughts. Moreover, this situation can put a strain on parent-child relationships. Children often have less quality time with parents and may actively avoid them to escape criticism or close supervision. Furthermore, success is often measured by grades and certificates, which intensifies parents’ fear of children falling behind.
In conclusion, parents pressuring children to be successful has more loss than gain for both children and families. The drawbacks should be carefully taken into consideration before parents put too much expectation and pressure on children’s achievements.